Where a Steampunk Wonderland Once Existed a Century Ago 🎡

In 1909, in the 17th arrondissement of Paris at Porte Maillot, a theme park called "Luna Park" opened its gates. Its design was inspired by New York's Coney Island. The wave of the Industrial Revolution brought metal structures and electrical technology, creating a unique steampunk modern vibe for the park. Luna Park operated daily from 1 p.m. to midnight, with an admission fee of just 1 franc. However, on Fridays, the price would increase slightly. In the early years after its opening, crowds of Parisians flocked to the park, especially the upper-class folks in elegant long dresses and big hats. People screamed on roller coasters, played bumper cars, and watched water animal shows, seeking thrills and fun: 🏄 Water Chute : Borrowing from Coney Island's classic design, this ride used electricity to lift boats and then sent them plunging into the water at high speeds of 120 to 150 km/h. It was both thrilling and exhilarating. 🎢 Scenic Railway : An electric roller coaster about 2 kilometers long, it relied on wooden supports and a third-rail power system, allowing the cars to race along the tracks. ⚾ Le Chatouilleur (The Tickler) : Using wooden structures to create undulating motion, this ride gave passengers a sense of weightlessness while being "tickled." 🎡 Roue Diabolique (Devil's Wheel) : Two cars were installed on an elliptical track, similar to a seesaw, moving up and down with a balance bar and sliding like a roller coaster. This was an original creation of Luna Park. Unfortunately, the Great Depression of the 1930s brought the park's popularity to a sudden halt. With a sharp decline in consumer spending and fierce competition, Luna Park gradually lost its former charm. During World War I, the park was closed multiple times, and during World War II, it was tainted by enemy occupation. After the war, Luna Park attempted to resume operations but eventually closed permanently in 1948. The site lay abandoned for years until the 1970s, when it was redeveloped into the Palais des Congrès that we know today. #Paris #UrbanArchaeology #VanishedArchitecture